The Environment Minister has reminded rally fans of their responsibilities behind the wheel ahead of this year’s Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally in association with UTV Drive which takes place over the Easter weekend.

Tens of thousands of fans will attend stages in counties Armagh, Down, Antrim, Tyrone and Monaghan. Edwin Poots urged spectators attending the rally to adhere to the DOE’s Road Safety Message – Keep the Race in its Place.

Mr Poots warned: “Young men, especially those with a keen interest in motorsport, will no doubt get a great thrill out of seeing the top rally drivers competing at high speeds.   

“However we all need to be aware there is a big difference between driving on the rally and everyday driving on the road.

“High-speed rallying like the Circuit of Ireland takes place in a controlled environment in specially-designed cars driven by experienced competitors.

“Spectators and rally fans should be under no illusion that speed on our roads kills and wrecks lives.”

Rally Director Bobby Willis said organisers had given their full backing to the Keep the Race in its Place campaign.

He said: “Rallying is great fun and we are looking forward to thousands of people enjoying the exhilarating sport this Easter weekend.

“We know fans enjoy the speed, skill and excitement but we strongly urge spectators to leave it to the professionals.

“I would also urge fans to obey the marshals during the rally as they do a vital job in keeping everyone safe.”

Thousands of fans are expected to descend on Armagh to meet and greet the competitors in this year’s Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally at 11am on Easter Saturday, 23 April, before they set off on 16 stages.

This year the service park will be situated in the Armagh City Hotel car park and on Saturday afternoon drivers will compete in the Lisburn Power Stage – the first time a city centre in the UK will be closed for a competitive rally stage. This will enable the public the best possible viewing whilst remaining safe. UTV Drive will also stream the Power Stage live on its website.

Stages in Monaghan will take place on Sunday with the rally finishing in Armagh later that day.

While adding his voice to the safety message, Terence Donnelly, Managing Director of the lead sponsor the Donnelly Motor Group highlighted that his company will showcase its range of electric cars at this year’s Lisburn Power Stage and at the start/finish in Armagh.

Follow the latest Circuit of Ireland Rally news and more important safety messages at www.circuitofireland.net and on Facebook.